Stephanie DeSouza, MSW, Director

Stephanie DeSouza founded AMICA after more than a dozen years serving children, teens, and adults with social and learning disabilities. A school counselor, case manager, and certified social worker in private practice, where she specializes in teaching social skills and supporting the families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, she also served for five years as the director of a day camp for this population.

Stephanie believes that children with social difficulties can thrive and grow, socially and emotionally, in natural camp and community settings. As an educator and social worker, Stephanie has significant experience in creating and supervising groups that provide social learning opportunities for populations with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and nonverbal learning disabilities. As a camp director, she is skilled in structuring a camp program that blends traditional camp activities with activities that allow campers to practice social proficiencies. Stephanie created AMICA to give children and adolescents a year-round program of age-appropriate activities that support socialization and independence skills.